Apparatus for securing and transporting heavy loads

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supports extending transversely to the length of the load on which are mounted two supporting blocks provided at a space from each other, displaceable relatively to each other and having a flexible supporting band adapting itself to the particular shape of the load automatically with displacement of the supporting blocks relatively to each other and carrying the load.

United States Patent 119 Klinkhammer et a1.

[1 11 3,850,107 [451 Nov. 26, 1 974 APPARATUS FOR SECURING ANDTRANSPORTING HEAVY LOADS Inventors: Karl Klinkhammer, 3b Lohbreite,

4800 Bielefeld; Siegfied Bley, 81 Westrasse, 4904 Enger-Westerenger,both of Germany Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 341,721

Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 20, 1972 Austria 2326/72 US. Cl104/134, 61/66, 248/146, 104/23 rs Int. Cl A63g 21/00 Field of Search104/23 FS, 134; 61/66; 248/146, 149, 150, 105, 106, 49, 60

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Wheeler 248/146 3/1969 ,Olson3,430,911 61/66 3,513,934 5/1970 Crowley 104/134 3,650,218

3/1972 Losey 104/134 Primary Examiner-M1 Henson Wood, Jr. AssistantExaminerD. W. Keen Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Frank 1. Jordan ABSTRACTApparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacentsupports extending transversely to the length of the load on which aremounted two supporting blocks provided at a space from each other,displaceable relatively to each other and having a flexible supportingband adapting itself to the particular shape of the load automaticallywith displacement of the supporting blocks relatively to each other andcarrying the load.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEL NOV 2 8 I974 sum 2 or 5 PATENTELKEV 2 6 I974 sneer 3 OF 3- Fig-10 APPARATUS FOR SECURING ANDTRANSPORTING HEAVY LOADS The present invention relates to an apparatusfor securing a heavy load in a fixed position during the lifting andmoving thereof and for transporting such heavy load. The inventionrelates particularly to apparatus for securing and transporting ships.

In order to fix the position of a ship in a ship hoist or similarlifting mechanism complicated and expensive keel and floats trim have tobe carefully and exactly prepared in a complicated and laborious manner,due to the many separate parts, according to the docking plan of thevessel above water.

in operation the supports of the ship lifting mechanism having floatsare first lowered into the dock. The ship then moves into the dock, isaligned and disposes itself on the floats during the raising of thesupports. The ship is then lifted further until it is at a level abovethe surface of the water which is at the same height as connectingtracks provided for transport of the ship. The ship can then betransported to the proposed berth by means of suitable displacing means,e.g., trucks.

This known method of securing and transporting is complicated andtime-wasting on the one hand requires an extensive track system on theother hand, and determines the relative spacing of the ships by thetrack gauge, a feature which greatly restricts the berthing capacity.

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus by which,in a simple-reliable and rapid manner, heavy loads, more especiallyships, can be secured in position for lifting and transporting and whichenables the loads to be transported without tracks in any desireddirection.

in the case of ships the securing thereof is carried out in' atime-saving manner with simple individual parts the previous and exactarrangement of the floats corresponding to the various shapes of theship not being necessary. Furthermore, the ship with the securingarrangement is movable in a simple manner on an even surface to manydifferent places.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus forsecuring a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in a fixed positionduring the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting such heavyload comprising a plurality of adjacent supports extending transverselyto the length of the load on which are mounted two supporting blocksprovided at a space from each other, displaceable relatively to eachother and having a flexible supporting band adapting itself to theparticular shape of the load automatically with displacement of thesupporting blocks relatively to each other and carrying the load.

Preferably, the two supporting blocks of each supporting band aredisplaceably mounted on the support by means of guides such as rollersand skids acting as tilt-proof counterbearings and guide ribs,tilt-proof in the direction of displacement and acting as securityagainst lateral movement.

The supporting band may be mounted by way of a running surface,preferably a guide drum arranged in the upper end portion of eachsupporting block and cooperating therewith and at the end thereofsecured to each supporting block; at least one end, preferably bothends, of each supporting band is mounted on the supporting block tobe-adjustable in the longitudinal direction.

Each supporting band may be formed of a plurality of cables, chains,straps, belts or the like extending in adjacent spaced relationship andsecured at both ends in a connecting member mounted directly on thesupporting block, or of several supporting band sections of the samelength which are connected together detachably and interchangeably bycoupling members to form a supporting band.

It is preferable to link the two connecting members of the blocks at thesupporting block end of the band to a draw spindle driven by a gearmotor, preferably a hydraulic motor, with a worm drive mounted in thesupporting block, for changing the length of the supporting band.

In another feature of the present invention, the underside of eachsupport is provide with a plurality of air cushion units arranged inserial and/or adjacent spaced relationship in the longitudinal directionof the support, for moving the loaded supports without tracks, eachsupport being provided on its underside with a plurality of downwardlyopen chambers in which an air tube arranged in a ring on the bearingplane of the support is provided with air outlets directed towards thearea of the chamber enclosed by the air tube and distributed over theentire circumference.

The apparatus of the present invention makes it possible in a simple,economical and reliable manner to secure the position of heavy loads,more particularly ships, in the lifting and transporting thereof andalso permits transport of the ships in any desired direction withouttracks.

A particularly preferred feature is the construction of the supportarrangement by the flexible supporting bands and the supporting blocksholding them since the supporting bands adapt themselves automaticallyto any form of hull of a ship and align themselves automatically alongthe centre of the ship, previous exact arrangement of the floats to theparticular form of the ship is not necessary, but only an approximatepositioning thereof on the supports in the direction of the keel of theship.

By means of such parts it is possible to adapt the apparatus to allshapes of ships hulls, this individual adap tation being furtherimproved by the displaceable connectionwith the blocks.

The supporting bands are longitudinally adjusted so that they can beadapted to the necessary length depending on the shape of the hull.

The supporting bands are applied to the form of the ship by the drawspindles driven for example by a hydraulic motor and the supportingblocks, which are mobile in the unloaded condition on account of theirspring mounted front rollers, are moved against the hull of the ship.

in the raising of the lifting traverses, the supporting bands adaptingthemselves to the hull press the supporting blocks forwardly anddownwardly so that the rollers are retracted and the pressure members orskids are applied forwardly from above and at the stem from below. Theblocks are thus locked in position under load, the supporting bands holdthe ship fast and, on account of their large bearing surface area andthe rubber or plastic reinforcement, they exert only a weak specificpressure on the hull of the ship.

Due to the construction of the positioning apparatus better utilisationof lifting systems is obtained, since the positioning proceeds muchfaster than in the case of conventional float arrangements.

The fixing device is formed of simple and economically manufacturedseparate parts which are designed to have a long life.

Another important advantage is seen in the track less mobility of theraised ships because of the air cushion units, whereby the positionedships can be moved with the fixing device to any desired place no tracksare necessary, but only an even floor, such as a concrete floor.

In addition, such a means of transport enables ships to be disposedclose together, thus considerably increasing the berthing capacity.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus for securing and transportingships, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a supporting block with sup- I porting bandand guideson a support;

F IG. 3 is a side view of the supporting block provided on a carrier;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a supporting band formed of a plurality ofcables;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the supporting band of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a ship having a plurality of supports extendingtransversely to the length thereof.

FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the lower portion of the supporthaving an air cushion unit provided therein;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a lower portion of the support comprisingseveral chambers and air cushion units arranged therein;

FIG. 9 is a side view of a portion of a support with rollers which reston flexible tubes and are driven by a pressure medium introduced intothe tubes; and

FIG. 10 is a'plan view of a support comprising rollers in series,arranged in lateral adjacent spaced relationship with a gap between themand a flexible tube associated with each roller, the support being shownin fragmentary view for clarity.

As shown in FIG. 1, an invention for securing a ship 10 in a fixedposition during the lifting and moving thereof and for transporting theship has several adjacent, preferably spaced apart supports 11 extendingtransversely, preferably at right angles in their Iongitu dinaldirection, to the length of the ship, and displaceably resting on abearing surface 12, such as the traverses of a lifting platform, groundsurface or the like.

Two supporting blocks 13, provided with a clearance from each other inthe longitudinal direction of the supports and being relativelydisplaceable, are mounted on each support 11 and are connected to aflexible supporting band or belt 14 which automatically adapts itself,with displacement of the supporting blocks 13, to the particular shapeof the ship supported thereof and carries said ship 10. The twosupporting blocks 13 are prevented from tilting in the direction ofdisplacement by guides 19, l5, l6, l7 and 18 on the ends of thesupporting blocks and supports, and are secured to the support 11 toprevent lateral displacement. (FIG. 2).

Each supporting block 13 is provided at both ends located one behind theother in the direction of displacement, with two lateral rollers 16rolling on the support 11, by means of which rollers the supportingblock 13 can be moved backwards and forwards; it is preferable for atleast one pair but preferably both pairs of rollers to be springloaded,so that they can easily carry, in the unloaded condition, the supportingblock 13 without resting on the support 11.

In order to prevent tilting of the supporting block 13 in the directionof displacment when the ship is in position the end of the supportingblock adjacent to the support 11, has two lateral skids 19 resting onthe support 11. The guide 18 for the support 11 and the end of thesupport 11 remote from the adjacent supporting block 13 also have twolateral skids 15, which position themselves, however, under the guide18. The two upper and lower skids 19 and 15 of each supporting block 13,provided at a space from each other, thus form abutments representingthe anti-tilting means. It is preferable to form the skids 19 and 15 bya rocker pivotable about a horizontal axis 19a and 15a so that a certaininner mobility of the supporting block 13 is available. Instead of theskids, rollers, ribs or the like may be provided as anti-tiltingabutments.

In order to prevent any lateral diplacement of each supporting block 13,the area of each lateral skid 19 and 15 is provided with a verticalguide rib 17 which engages partially over the sides of the support 11partially over the guide 18 or completely over the guide 18 and retainsthe skid 15. The guides of the support 11 are formed by ribs or walldeformations projecting from the top of both its side edges.

The supporting band or belt 14 is mounted by way of a running surface,preferably a guide drum 20 arranged at the upper end of each supportingblock 13 and is retained at the ends on each supporting block I3. Atleast one end, preferably both ends of the supporting band 14, are heldlongitudinally adjustably on the two supporting blocks 13 cooperatingwith the supporting band 14 so that it is possible to adapt thesupporting band 14 to the particular shape of ship by adjusting thelengths of the band 14.

Each supporting band 14 is composed of several cables, chains, straps,belts or the like 22 secured at both ends in a connecting member 21; itis also possible to construct each supporting band 14 of single cables22 or of a plurality of detachably interconnected length sections.

As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, two groups of cables 22are combined to form a supporting band 14 and each group of cables issecured at one end in a holder 23; the two holders 23 of each supportingband 14 being pivotably mounted in a connecting member 24, preferably ina rocker by means of a pivot shaft 25 and the connecting member 24 is intrim pivotably connected to a traction member, preferably a motor driventhreaded spindle 26. The threaded spindle 26 is displaceably connectedat one end to the connecting member 24 by way of a pivot shaft 27 and ismounted in a driving gear 28, preferably a worm gear which is mounted inthe supporting block 13. The worm gear 28 receives its driving motionfrom a hydraulic motor 29 and the threaded spindle 26 is mechanicallylocked by the worm gear 28 when said worm gear 28 is stopped.

Since ships hulls are generally spherical and taper at one or both ends,supporting bands 14 of different length are necessary for each ship 10.These supporting bands 14 of different lengths may be obtained byconnecting a plurality of supporting band sections of the same and/ordifferent lengths, each supporting band section comprising severaladjacent cables 22 or the like and detachably connected to the adjacentsection by a coupling member 30. Each coupling member 30 may be formedof two connecting bolts 30a extending through the ends of the cablesshaped as cord eyes 22a and connecting links 30b holding these apart.For supporting bands 14 of different lengths one or more band sectionsare therefore extracted from the band 14 or added thereto.

The two terminal supporting band sections are also detachably secured inthe cable holders 23 by their connecting bolts 23a engaging their cableends formed as cord eyes 220.

Similarly to the cables 22 straps, belts or the like may also beconnected or, in the case of chains, the coupling members 30 extendthrough the links of the chain.

In order to ensure application of the flexible supporting bands 14 tothe hull of the ship without damage, its cables chains, straps, belts orthe like 22 may be provided with a protective layer, such as a rubber orplastic layer.

For securing the ship in a fixed position, a coarse adjustment accordingto the dock plan is effected by the adjustment of the co-operatingsupporting blocks l3 at a space from each other and by the selection ofthe length of the supporting bands (variable by the individualsupporting band sections intermediate parts) so that all the supportingblocks 13 necessary for the ship 10, and supporting bands 14 arearranged at a space from each other and are also arranged lengthwise ona support 11 corresponding to the shape of the ship.

The bearing surface 12 in the form of traverses representing a liftingplatform or the like is then lowered, with the support 11, supportingblocks 13 and the supporting band 14 arranged thereon, by a liftingmechanism into the water of the dock. The ship 10 can then enter thedock and is centrally aligned on the securing device formed by thesupport 11, supporting blocks 13 and the supporting bands 14. Byoperating the hydraulic motors 29 the supporting bands 14 are tightenedby the mechanically lockable traction spindle 26 by way of the guidedrums 20, and the bands 14 locate themselves around the hull,simultaneously drawing the supporting blocks 13 together. Each band 14adapts itself.

to the shape of the hull near which it is disposed and the supportingblocks 13 are also drawn together correspondingly thereto. Eachsupporting band 14 forms a trough extending above the support 11 inwhich band the ship is secured in position (FIG. 1).

The supporting blocks 13 also dispose themselves on the hull near theirguide drums and can no longer be displaced when the ship is received,since they are held by the supporting bands 14.

During the subsequent synchronous lifting of the traverses 12, the ship10 lies fast in the bands 14 which are mechanically locked by thethreaded spindle 26 and the bands 14 adapt themselves by the blocks 13automatically to the shape of the ship with regard to any possibledeviations in the measurements from the dock plan.

between the skids 19 and 15 and the support guide 18, the front (shipend) rollers 16 being retained under load.

The following trouble-free application of the supporting bands 14 to theshape of the ship is reliably controlled by the supply of pressuremedium from the motors 29.

For moving the supports 11 after the raising of the ship 10, eachsupport 11 is provided on its underside with a plurality of air cushionunits which make it possible to move the ship 10 without trackslaterally of the traverses (in the longitudinal direction of thetraverses) and then to move the ship 10 in any desired direction.

Instead of the air cushion units 31, in another embodiment (not shown)each support 11 is provided with a plurality of rollers which enable thesupports 11 to be moved. These rotatable rollers are mounted rigidly onthe underside of the supports or secured to rotate or pivot on thesupport 11 about a vertical axis so that displacement of the support inany direction is possible by the displaceable or pivotable mounting ofthe rollers.

According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 each support 11 hasa plurality of rollers 32 in spaces serial relationship in thelongitudinal direction of the supports or are one behind the other andlaterally displaced relatively to each other, for moving the support 11.

At least one preferably several, rollers 32 is associated with aflexible tube 33, preferably a plastic tube, inflatable by a pressuremedium, such as water, air or the like and which, when inflated, exertsa thrust on the rollers 32 resulting in rotation of the rollers 32 anddisplacement of the supports 11.

The tube or tubes 33 are disposed in the path of movement (liftingtraverse, floor surface 12) and the rollers are then supported and runon these tubes 33.

For example, each support 11 may be provided with one roller 32 asdriving roller, occupy at least almost the entire width of the support,with which roller a tube 33 is provided corresponding in its width tothe length, so that, when the tube 33 is inflated, this roller 32 isrotated by the pressure and thereby displaces the support 11 and theother rollers 32 rotate therewith.

However, it is preferable to provide the support 11, as shown in H6. 10with a plurality of rollers 32 arranged in serial spaced relationship inthe longitudinal direction of the supports and laterally displacedrelatively to each other and to associate a tube 33 with each of therollers 32. Since the rollers 32 have a gap between them several tubes33 may extend adjacently to each other relatively to the rollers 32arranged in spaced serial relationship in the longitudinal direction ofthe supports without a tube 33 being restricted (the flow of pressuremedium being interrupted or the tube squeezed).

The pressure medium is forced into the individual flexible tubes 33, andthe pressure medium in each tube 33 advances to the roller 32 associatedwith the tube 33, is then blocked by the roller 32 as it flows on andthen causes the tube 33 to expand; the now expanded tube 33 is providedwith more pressure medium, with the result that the additional pressuremedium exerts a The blocks 13 are retained by frictional engagementthrust on the roller 32 and the roller 32 is thereby rotated until itrolls on the tube 33. The expanded portion 330 of the tube in contactwith the roller 32 represents a thrust surface which moves in thelongitudinal direction of the tube by means of the additional pressuremedium and ensures the rotation of the roller 32 over the entire lengthof the tube. Due to these inflatable tubes 33, simple and easydisplacement of the individual supports 11 with load is achieved.

The individual tubes 33 are each connected to a specific, preferably acommon device, such as a pump, delivering the pressure medium.

The rollers 32, driven by the tubes 33 filled with pressure medium,extend for example over an end portion of the support; however, they mayalso be distributed over the entire extension of the supports.

Only individual rollers 32 of each support 11 are driven by the tubes33.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide only one tube 33 of plasticsmaterial for all the rollers to be driven, which tube is dividedlongitudinally, however, into separate chambers shut off from eachother, so that a separate tube chamber is thus associated with eachroller 32.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, wherein the invention comprises aplurality of adjacent support members, said support members extendingtransversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported andcarrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks beingspaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, and aflexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks,said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively toeach other automatically conforming to the outline of the load to besecured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load.

2. Apparatus as'recited in claim 1, in which each supporting band isformed of a plurality of elongated flexible elements, said plurality offlexible elements extending in adjacent spaced relationship and bothends of each of said flexible elements being secured in a connectingmember, said member beomg mounted directly on said supporting block.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each said supporting bandis formed of a plurality of sections of the same length, said sectionsbeing detachably and interchangeably connected by coupling members.

4. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, two connectingmembers provided at said end of said supporting block connected to saidsupporting band for changing the length of each supporting band, and adraw spindle mechanically locked in a worm gear of each supporting blockand driven by a gear motor with said worm gear mounted in said block,said connecting members being linked to said draw spindle.

5. Apparatus as recited in claim 4, in which each said supporting bandis formed of two groups of a plurality of cables extending in adjacentspaced relationship, a

holder being provided in said connecting member, each said group ofcables being secured at both ends in said holder, each holder of thesupporting band being mounted so as to pivot about an axis in arocker-like connecting member, each connecting member being connected toa threaded spindle so as to pivot about an axis.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which said cables of theindividual sections of said supporting band are detachably connectedtogether by a coupling member formed by two connecting bolts extendingthrough the adjacent ends of said cable formed as cord eyes and aplurality of connecting links holding the connecting bolts together.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which each cable is provided witha cover layer.

8. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, each of said support members, beingprovided on their upper two longitudinal edges with lateral projectingribs acting as guides, and a flexible supporting band extending betweensaid two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of saidsupporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming tothe outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexibleband carrying said load.

9. Apparatus forsecuring a heavy load, more particularly a ship,,in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, said two supportingblocks of each supporting band being displaceably mounted on saidsupport members by means of guide members in order to prevent tiltingand lateral displacement of the load, said guide members being locatedat the sides of said supporting blocks and said support members.

10. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, said supportingblocks each being displaceably held in series in the direction ofdisplacement on said support member at both ends of said support memberby two rollers, each of said supporting blocks being secured againsttilting on said support member at said one end facing said adjacentsupporting block co-operating therewith, by two lateral skids resting onsaid guide member of said support member and at said other end by twolateral skids engaging under the guide member of said support member,each of said support blocks also being securely held against lateraldisplacement on said support member by lateral guide ribs provided nearsaid skids and engaging over said guide member of said support member.

11. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, a running surfaceprovided in the upper end portion of said each supporting block, saidsurface co-operating with said block, one end of said surface beingsecured to each supporting block, said supporting band being mounted onsaid running surface, and at least one end of each supporting band beinglongitudinally adjustably secured to said supporting block.

12. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each otherautomatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, each of said supportmembers being provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers arranged inseries spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the supportmembers or displaced one behind the other and laterally relatively toeach other, and a tube inflatable by a pressure medium exerting on therollers a thrust for displacing said support members and disposed undersaid particular roller is associated with at least one relativelydisplaced roller. l

1. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, wherein the invention comprises aplurality of adjacent support members, said support members extendingtransversely to the length of the load to be secured and transported andcarrying two supporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks beingspaced from one another and displaceable relative to each other, and aflexible supporting band extending between said two supporting blocks,said band, upon displacement of said supporting blocks relatively toeach other automatically conforming to the outline of the load to besecured and transported, said flexible band carrying said load. 2.Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each supporting band is formedof a plurality of elongated flexible elements, said plurality offlexible elements extending in adjacent spaced relationship and bothends of each of said flexible elements being secured in a connectingmember, said member beomg mounted directly on said supporting block. 3.Apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which each said supporting band isformed of a plurality of sections of the same length, said sectionsbeing detachably and interchangeably connected by coupling members. 4.Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each oTher,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, two connectingmembers provided at said end of said supporting block connected to saidsupporting band for changing the length of each supporting band, and adraw spindle mechanically locked in a worm gear of each supporting blockand driven by a gear motor with said worm gear mounted in said block,said connecting members being linked to said draw spindle.
 5. Apparatusas recited in claim 4, in which each said supporting band is formed oftwo groups of a plurality of cables extending in adjacent spacedrelationship, a holder being provided in said connecting member, eachsaid group of cables being secured at both ends in said holder, eachholder of the supporting band being mounted so as to pivot about an axisin a rocker-like connecting member, each connecting member beingconnected to a threaded spindle so as to pivot about an axis. 6.Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which said cables of the individualsections of said supporting band are detachably connected together by acoupling member formed by two connecting bolts extending through theadjacent ends of said cable formed as cord eyes and a plurality ofconnecting links holding the connecting bolts together.
 7. Apparatus asclaimed in claim 6, in which each cable is provided with a cover layer.8. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, each of said support members, beingprovided on their upper two longitudinal edges with lateral projectingribs acting as guides, and a flexible supporting band extending betweensaid two supporting blocks, said band, upon displacement of saidsupporting blocks relatively to each other, automatically conforming tothe outline of the load to be secured and transported, said flexibleband carrying said load.
 9. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, moreparticularly a ship, in a fixed position during the lifting and movingthereof and for transporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality ofadjacent support members, said support members extending transversely tothe length of the load to be secured and transported and carrying twosupporting blocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from oneanother and displaceable relative to each other, a flexible supportingband extending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, said two supportingblocks of each supporting band being displaceably mounted on saidsupport members by means of guide members in order to prevent tiltingand lateral displacement of the load, said guide members being locatedat the sides of said supporting blocks and said support members. 10.Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, said suppoRtingblocks each being displaceably held in series in the direction ofdisplacement on said support member at both ends of said support memberby two rollers, each of said supporting blocks being secured againsttilting on said support member at said one end facing said adjacentsupporting block co-operating therewith, by two lateral skids resting onsaid guide member of said support member and at said other end by twolateral skids engaging under the guide member of said support member,each of said support blocks also being securely held against lateraldisplacement on said support member by lateral guide ribs provided nearsaid skids and engaging over said guide member of said support member.11. Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each other,automatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, a running surfaceprovided in the upper end portion of said each supporting block, saidsurface co-operating with said block, one end of said surface beingsecured to each supporting block, said supporting band being mounted onsaid running surface, and at least one end of each supporting band beinglongitudinally adjustably secured to said supporting block. 12.Apparatus for securing a heavy load, more particularly a ship, in afixed position during the lifting and moving thereof and fortransporting such heavy load, comprising a plurality of adjacent supportmembers, said support members extending transversely to the length ofthe load to be secured and transported and carrying two supportingblocks thereon, said supporting blocks being spaced from one another anddisplaceable relative to each other, a flexible supporting bandextending between said two supporting blocks, said band, upondisplacement of said supporting blocks relatively to each otherautomatically conforming to the outline of the load to be secured andtransported, said flexible band carrying said load, each of said supportmembers being provided with a plurality of rotatable rollers arranged inseries spaced relationship in the longitudinal direction of the supportmembers or displaced one behind the other and laterally relatively toeach other, and a tube inflatable by a pressure medium exerting on therollers a thrust for displacing said support members and disposed undersaid particular roller is associated with at least one relativelydisplaced roller.